498 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 498: Gui Zheng's Reward In the dimly lit room, with eyes strained, the women moved cautiously. [Previous Chapter] [Index] [Next Chapter] 'Boom!' With a deafening explosion, a dog-shaped mechanical puppet beast was blown to pieces. Chu Zhuangyuan retracted her staff-like magic weapon. With a withered hand, she fished out a Qi-restoring pill from her robe and swallowed it, resuming her breath to replenish her energy. As she did so, she summoned a flying sword to sweep up the iron box that the puppet had been guarding. "What did you get, sister?" Not far away, Ganlong, while entangled in battle with another mechanical puppet beast, turned a greedy eye towards the iron box, not willing to look away. Chu Zhuangyuan understood her intentions. Instead of checking the contents, she simply flipped her wrist, storing the iron box into her bag of holding with a smile. "Probably the same worthless trash," she said, and swiftly flew towards her next target. "Hmph, always scheming," Gan teased under her breath, cursing as she cast a talisman that exploded another puppet beast blocking her path, similarly obtaining an iron box. She hurriedly opened it to find a tier-two flying sword inside. Though intricately designed and seemingly crafted by a master, for someone as seasoned as the matron of the Li Mountain family, it was hardly worth more than a fleeting curiosity. With a resigned sigh, she closed the box and stashed it away. After entering this hidden cache, they quickly reached the first layer filled with mechanisms. The people from the Jiang family and Bi Lake Sect seemed uninterested in these side paths, focused instead on clearing a path to the next level. This left an opportunity for the united team of the Chu brothers and Chu Qin, who had been discreetly following behind. The mechanical beasts weren't very formidable, and the elderly participants eagerly worked, with the prospect of clearing the layer entirely not far away. However, the true treasures of the cache were not so easily accessible. The contents inside the iron boxes—whether talismans, instruments, scrolls, or pills—were often at a mere tier-two level. For the elderly, whose days were numbered, their ambitions clearly lay elsewhere. "Elder Chu, this layer isn’t valuable. Are we wasting our time here? Should we move on to the next one?" suggested Qi Bingyan of Kongqu Mountain's Qi family, who had reaped substantial benefits from the last internal conflict in Baishan. She showed little interest in these petty gains. Noticing Chu Shen lost in thought as he stared at the mural on the ceiling with vacant eyes, seemingly entranced, she stepped forward to voice her thoughts. "Oh!" Chu Shen snapped back to attention. He saw the layer had nearly been cleared, with remnants and wreckage of all kinds of mechanical puppets strewn across the ground—a scene of chaos. "Then let's go," he decided, taking the lead and passing through a wrecked secret door. They went down a long passage and soon arrived at another hall, slightly smaller than the initial one they had entered. Due to the delay on the previous level, signs of others passing through were evident. The place reeked of the aftermath of spell-induced skirmishes, with shattered and discarded artifacts scattered about and bodies lying lifelessly. This grim reality quickly reminded everyone of the harsh and unforgiving nature of this exploration. "Outrageous!" Chu Zhuangyuan spotted a short, stout rogue cultivator busy stripping clothes off a deceased Golden Core cultivator. Nearby, the lifeless body of a female Foundation Establishment cultivator lay stark naked, her dignity left trampled. Disgusted, Chu Zhuangyuan was about to drive the wretch away with her staff when Chu Shen restrained her and tersely said, "Don’t meddle." He swiftly followed Wan Xuan's secret markings, diving into the passageway leading to the second layer. "Thank you for sparing me!" The collective aura from such a large group scared the scavenging rogue cultivator into shouting a hasty thanks towards their retreating backs. He quickly resumed rifling through the deceased Golden Core's belongings, selecting another passage opening to enter as he departed hurriedly. Yet, he still took the time to unfurl the robes he'd pilfered, admiring them with relish as he traveled—a pristine, rare fourth-tier scholar's robe, adorned with intricate black characters on the chest: 'Heaven's Retribution.' He barely had time to savor his prize before a sudden sword light struck from an angle. Despite his quick reflexes, summoning an umbrella-shaped defensive tool, his defenses were inadequate. He was sliced cleanly in two along with his shield, leaving his treasures to be claimed by the stealthy assailant. Scenes like this unfolded repeatedly within the secret cache. As Chu Shen delved deeper, his doubts grew. Endless puppet beasts guarded every small niche entrance, the boxes within having been upgraded to bronze. The difficulty of these mechanical beasts increased as well, yet the team of elders kept up their relentless assault, extracting slightly more valuable treasures from the bronze boxes. But nothing they found could satisfy their deep-running greed. "The mechanical puppets, the aesthetic of filling every corner with murals..." Chu Shen reflected on his journey beneath Black River Peak—an entirely different stylistic arrangement, yet these peculiarities were strikingly similar. Black River Peak followed a mixed path of necromancy and mechanical arts, muddled with externally influenced Buddhist practices, while this place seemed to resonate with harmonized Buddhist and Taoist themes, complemented by celestial secrets—a legacy of virtuous predecessors... "No, there must be a connection!" Known for his caution, Chu Shen's life had been marked by prudent stewardship of Nanchu's affairs, executed with the utmost order and adherence to rules. Such an uncanny link could not be dismissed as mere coincidence and prompted him to revisit his contemplation over exploring further into the depths of this mystic realm. "Could Yu He have reached so far into Black River Peak's seventeen stories undaunted, meaning little danger existed, while the eighteenth, forged routes like 'Pretend Six Paths,” trapped figures like Qi Xiu, myself, and the ancestors Samgong and Nangong Zhi for years, requiring the intervention of Transformation stage ancestor Nangong Mu to escape intact? This new treasure hunt, marked by Nangong family’s eagerness—knowing the struggles Nangong Meng faced over mundane negotiations, let alone treasure hunts..." Though not privy to all secrets like Qi Xiu, Chu Shen sensed something amiss. "Rumors suggested Nangong’s relentless pursuit of Yu stemmed from unequal spoils after Black River Peak. Is it wise for us to involve ourselves here?" Still undecided, "There's someone!" came a scout’s report ahead. Rushing forward, they found many ruined puppets, with niches evidently ransacked. "There, ahead!" A call pointed a path, revealing Darong engaged in combat with a rogue cultivator in late-stage Foundation Establishment. Fiery fox apparitions danced behind the latter, menacingly drawing the circle of battle tighter around her. Aged and unaccustomed to such brutal opponents, Darong relied on her wealth, seated cross-legged behind a makeshift defense of tier-two arrays and summoning talismans. But she steadily lost ground. "How dare you, thief!" As the rogue was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Chu Shen harbored no reservations. He subdued him first with the pressure of his Golden Core presence, then promptly dispatched him with a single decisive strike. "Thank you, elder," Darong said, shakily retrieving her protective items as she staggered to her feet in gratitude. "We..." Seizing the gathered attention, Chu Shen took the opportunity to consolidate his observations and thoughts into a secret message. "I have a sealed letter for the ancestor. Who among you is willing to deliver it?" The elderly crowd averted their eyes, unwilling to meet his gaze directly. Anticipating their reluctance, Chu Shen singled out Chu Zhuangyuan from the group to entrust with the letter. Unexpectedly, she knelt down weeping, refusing to accept it, "Master uncle, I've wasted my life. This might be my final chance. I don't want to, I don’t want to..." "Sigh..." Witnessing her tears, Chu Shen was left speechless. They were all life-long laborers for the Chu family, yet it seemed clear no one was willing to abandon their quest now. Unable to command their withdrawal, he begrudgingly ordered them to maintain vigilance. Chu Shen then set up a small formation at their current location, retrieving a tiny golden vial containing a single, radiant droplet of water. Using a secret method, he imbued the droplet with a segment of his spiritual energy, before carefully placing it into the formation. As the droplet began to burn within the formation, Chu Shen chanted incantations continuously, maintaining the connection until a mental link touched Chu Hongshang deep beneath Nanchu City, finally concluding the communication. As the ceremony ended, the formation and droplet were consumed, leaving only a last warm ember. ... Meanwhile, at the Star Plucking Pavilion. A young man named Jia waited at the mountain gate, smiling at the approach of Qin Changfeng, Sangong Yueran, Chu Wen, and Miaoqing. "Long time no see, young friend," Qin Changfeng greeted with a smile, introducing Jia to Chu Wen and Miaoqing, "This is young friend Jia, my cherished acquaintance despite the age gap. His name is Changgeng. When I faced obstacles forming my core, it was one of his inadvertent remarks that provided the crucial insight. Since then, we've exchanged letters, and his perception and knowledge continue to impress me greatly." As Qin Changfeng spoke of an 'inadvertent remark,' Jia's mouth curled slightly in quiet amusement. Maintaining composure and respect in the presence of three Golden Core cultivators, he offered a courteous bow, warmly inviting, "The Star Gazing Platform happens to be available. Please, allow me to guide you." Taking the lead in earnest politeness. As a cultivator still at the Foundation Establishment stage, his demeanor might have bordered on impolite, yet Chu Wen, accustomed to his free-spirited ways, paid it no mind. Beside him, Miaoqing, her new hair styled matronly, exhibited a subtle charm reflective of newfound experiences—her attention entirely devoted to Chu Wen, making formalities quite insignificant. At the break of dawn, the sunlight filtered through the formations atop the Star Plucking Platform, dimming it slightly, while the stars above shimmered visibly, undiminished. Observing stars during the day was nothing new for Jia Changgeng and Qin Changfeng, who had seen such marvels often, but the other three marveled at the unusual sight with audible admiration. "After the fall of the Transformation stage cultivator from Baishan back in the day, I've visited this area to pay my respects, yet never had the chance to explore the platform itself. It's always been a regret, but now that dream is finally fulfilled," Miaoqing said with a sweetness in her smile, leaning snugly against Chu Wen. Together with Qin Changfeng and his wife, they had toured many parts of Baishan. Hearing the words "fall of the Transformation stage," Jia Changgeng's brow furrowed momentarily before his face changed drastically. A phantom of the Morning Star appeared above his head, and with a sidestep, he used the Star Escape technique to vanish into the void. The abruptness of his departure caught the four off guard, leaving them bewildered. The bead bracelet on Miaoqing's wrist, a gift from Gui Zheng, began to glow with a radiant light. "It's out of my control!" Miaoqing cried, trying to enforce her magical restraints to no avail. The bead detached itself, unleashing a stern Transformation stage aura that swept across the area, subsequently dragging Jia Changgeng from the void and binding him tightly at the waist. "What is happening?" Jia Changgeng, unconscious and bound, was effortlessly whisked through the Star Plucking Pavilion's defenses, crashing through the protective layers of both the pavilion and the city of Star Plucking, disappearing into the northwestern sky in an instant. Immobilized by the aura's oppressive presence, the four could only watch as he was carried away. Qin Changfeng turned an accusatory gaze toward Miaoqing, demanding answers. "I have no idea!" Miaoqing stammered, dazed and disoriented, casting a helpless look toward Chu Wen. "This bracelet was a gift from Gui Zheng, the ancestor of Jixia City..." Chu Wen remained the calmest among them, frowning deeply as he pondered, "That Transformation aura just now felt very much like Gui Zheng. Additionally, the direction in which the bead flew corresponds with Jixia City." "Was I used?" Miaoqing, quick-witted as she was, instantly realized the implication. "Regardless of who used whom, we’re in big trouble now!" Sangong Yueran exclaimed sharply. The Star Plucking Pavilion had snapped out of its stupor, and with the departure of the bead, the array's constraints lifted. A surge of cultivators began converging on the Star Plucking Platform. "Capture them!" someone shouted angrily from the crowd's rear. "We have no escape!" Positioned at the mountain’s pinnacle, the Star Plucking Platform offered no retreat path. Chu Wen braced himself with the Seven Star Sword—his shining weapon from the days beyond the Reflective Mountain—cradled in his arms, standing strong and imposing like a solid barricade. "You must flee," Sangong Yueran urged her husband, pushing him gently. "Use Star Escape..." "This is the Star Plucking Pavilion, within the grand formation. Using Star Escape here is futile," Qin Changfeng shook his head, drawing her into an embrace. Within moments, the platform was swarming with people, predatory glares driving the four towards a corner. "I am a descendant of the Qinan Nangong family, this is my family's son-in-law, and here is a member of the Qiyun Chu family, and a monk from Nanlin Temple. You... you best not come closer," Sangong Yueran rattled off everyone’s lineage like popping beans, mimicking Qi Xiu's usual tactic of wielding authority through borrowed power. Her words managed to pause the crowd's advance for a brief three seconds. Then a thin smoke trail rose at the rear, followed by the overwhelming presence of a Nascent Soul cultivator enveloping the entire area. For the first time in years, a Baishan Nascent Soul had descended, reappearing in the mortal realm. (To be continued)